Mid-season report card: Lions close, but no cigar

BRISBANE LIONSRecord: 1 win, 11 lossesGrading: D–

Summer expectation:After winning five games last year and finishing on the bottom of the ladder – their third bottom-two finish in a row – the Lions were expected to win at least six games this year. Especially when one considers they added Charlie Cameron and Luke Hodge to their playing list as well as No.1 pick Cam Rayner. But things just have not gone to plan for the Lions, who have been near enough but not good enough for most of the season. It would take a dramatic form turnaround for them to win five more games. If they don't, season 2018 will go down as another failure despite the promise that their youngsters are showing.

The Lions' recruitment of Charlie Cameron hasn't been able to lift their start to the season, despite his good form. Credit:AAP

The story so far:Brisbane's season to date can best be described as "close, but no cigar". The Lions have found themselves neck-deep in many games this year, but have only managed one win from 12. They had legitimate chances to beat Port Adelaide, Gold Coast and Collingwood while they also pushed the Bulldogs, Sydney, Essendon, St Kilda and Melbourne. Unfortunately, though, Chris Fagan's inexperienced side just has not learned what it takes to close out games when they're in a reasonable position to do so.

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The surprise:Of all the emerging talents on the Lions' list, Jarrod Berry has perhaps taken the biggest strides in season 2018. Berry made a solid start to his career last year, playing 16 games. But the North Ballarat Rebels product has only missed one game this year due to a hamstring complaint. Berry has averaged 17 touches and is ranked third at the club for tackles and fifth for clearances. Only Dayne Zorko and Mitch Robinson head the 20-year-old in tackles, while he only trails the established midfield quartet of Stefan Martin, Zorko, Dayne Beams and Robinson in clearances.

Jarrod Berry has come along in leaps and bounds, averaging 17 touches and tracking third at the Lions for tackles.Credit:AAP

What's ahead:The Lions don't have the easiest run home, but should aim to win at least two more games. Four of their last 10 games are against teams currently in the top eight, but they won't meet such a team until round 19 when they travel to Kardinia Park to face Geelong. So it's a pretty tough final month

or so. But before then they have a huge chance to score a victory against Carlton at the Gabba in round 16 and should back themselves to do against Gold Coast in round 22. They might even surprise the decimated Crows at the Gabba in round 18. Rating: 6 out of 10.

How is your team going? Every side will be covered in this series in the coming days.